“Contradictions in our Lutheran doctrine.”– Luther to Melanchthon

      In the 1852 Der Lutheraner, the editor (Walther), inserted this short blurb containing Luther's comment on "our Lutheran doctrine".   From vol. 8, April 13, p. 135: 

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Contradictions in our Lutheran doctrine.

Thus Luther wrote to Melanchthon: 

“How can our doctrine appear to contain anything but vain contradictions in the eyes of the ungodly, since it demands good works and condemns them, abrogates church customs and yet retains them, honors the authorities and yet punishes them, confesses sin among the saints and yet denies it!”

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      As I pondered the truth of Luther's statement, it occurred to me that the contradictions only make sense in the light of what Walther called "The Proper Distinction of Law and Gospel".